Capparaceae
Capparis spinosa var. aegyptia
Egyptian Caper
L
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This low, mounding shrub features arching red stems and thick, shiny, rounded to ovate, semi-succulent leaves. It produces abundant, sweetly fragrant, pinkish-white flowers with long violet stamens, which develop into edible caper buds and fruits commonly consumed pickled. Adapted to arid and semi-arid desert or dry shrubland biomes, it thrives in challenging, dry environments.
Where it works in Kilifi
Ideal for full sun exposure in hot, dry coastal gardens with lean, very well-drained, or rocky soil. It functions well as an attractive low mounding shrub, groundcover, or specimen plant, offering tolerance to salt spray and aiding in erosion control.
Growing notes
This plant establishes slowly but grows moderately once settled, proving highly drought-tolerant and requiring very little water after establishment. Overwatering or excessive summer rain can be detrimental. Contact with the plant may cause dermatitis in some individuals.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: smgrowers.com, aensiweb.com, wikipedia.org, gardenoracle.com, nih.gov, kew.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.